| Getting Ready for Your Trip Overseas | | | | mean that the entire country has problems. |
| | | | |
| The government can move slowly so apply early | | | | Make sure that you register your trip with |
| for your passport and, if necessary, any | | | | the State Department online - it will take |
| visas: Passports are required to enter and/or | | | | about 10 minutes at travel.state.gov. Find |
| depart most countries around the world. It is | | | | out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy |
| your responsibility to check the entry | | | | or consulate. You can also register upon |
| requirements for any country that you visit. | | | | arrival directly at the embassy but this will |
| Apply for a passport as soon as possible. | | | | take much longer. If you are traveling to a |
| Some countries also require U.S. citizens to | | | | remote area or one that is experiencing civil |
| obtain visas before entering. Most countries | | | | unrest, find out the location of the nearest |
| require visitors who are planning to study or | | | | U.S. embassy or consulate. If your family |
| work abroad to obtain visas before entering. | | | | needs to reach you because of an emergency, |
| Check with the embassy of the foreign country | | | | they can pass a message to you through the |
| that you are planning to visit for up-to-date | | | | Office of Overseas Citizens Services at |
| visa and other entry requirements. Don't get | | | | 202-647-5225. This office will contact the |
| caught overstaying your visa. Check the | | | | embassy or consulate in the country where you |
| renewal requirements prior to departure and | | | | are traveling and pass a message from your |
| periodically for any changes. | | | | family to you. Remember consular officers |
| | | | cannot cash checks, lend money or serve as |
| Do your homework before you depart. Learn | | | | your attorney. They can, however, if the need |
| about the countries that you plan to visit. | | | | arises, assist you in obtaining emergency |
| With the advent of the Internet, this is | | | | funds from your family, help you find an |
| extremely easy. Just do search and go to | | | | attorney, help you find medical assistance, |
| legitimate pages for straight information. | | | | and replace your lost or stolen passport. |
| Before departing, take the time to do some | | | | |
| research about the people and their culture, | | | | If you plan on teaching overseas, find out |
| and any problems that the country is | | | | what information your home school offers. |
| experiencing that may affect your travel | | | | Find out whether your school offers |
| plans. The Department of State publishes | | | | additional information for students who are |
| Background Notes on about 170 countries. | | | | planning to study, travel, or work abroad. |
| These brief, factual pamphlets contain | | | | Many student advisors can provide you with |
| information on each country's culture, | | | | information about studying or working abroad. |
| history, geography, economy, government, and | | | | They may also be able to provide you with |
| current political situation. | | | | information on any travel benefits for |
| | | | students (e.g. how to save money on |
| While you are visiting the embassy web site | | | | transportation and accommodations, and other |
| make sure to read the Consular Information | | | | resources.) You can also find a lot of |
| Sheet. Consular Information Sheets provide | | | | information online about scams and rip-offs. |
| up-to-date travel information on any country | | | | Do your due diligence. |
| in the world that you plan to visit. They | | | | |
| cover topics such as entry regulations, the | | | | Find out about the organization and what it |
| crime and security situation, drug penalties, | | | | offers before committing yourself or your |
| road conditions, and the location of the U.S. | | | | finances,. The majority of private programs |
| embassy, consulates, and consular agencies. | | | | for vacation, study or work abroad are |
| You can also see if there are any online | | | | reputable and financially sound. However, |
| forums for the area you will be visiting. | | | | some charge exorbitant fees, use deliberately |
| Remember that forums may or may not provide | | | | false "educational" claims, and provide |
| accurate information. | | | | working conditions far different from those |
| | | | advertised. Even programs of legitimate |
| Watch the news and check online for any | | | | organizations can be poorly administered. |
| updates. Ensure that your check for Travel | | | | |
| Warnings and Public Announcements. Travel | | | | Become familiar with the basic laws and |
| Warnings recommend U.S. citizens defer travel | | | | customs of the country you plan to visit |
| to a country because of dangerous conditions. | | | | before you travel. |
| Public Announcements provide fast-breaking | | | | |
| information about relatively short-term | | | | Remember: Reckless behavior while in another |
| conditions that may pose risks to the | | | | country can do more than ruin your vacation; |
| security of travelers. The State Department | | | | it can land you in a foreign jail or worse! |
| tends to err on the side of caution. | | | | To have a safe trip, avoid risky behavior and |
| Remember, too, that just because there are | | | | plan ahead. |
| problems in one part of a country doesn't | | | | |